Individuals belong to various types of groups and participate in
various group processes. The group processes deal with relation-
ships between the members, such as handling conflicts between
factions or the distribution of influence among the members in a
decisionmaking process. The group’s size also influences how the
group functions.
To a large degree, it is the responsibility of the person in charge
to ensure that a municipal structure for providing rescue services
functions effectively. Commanders/officers must be able to em-
ploy leadership and leadership styles in managing the organisa-
tion. It is no end in itself to have a municipal structure for provi-
ding rescue services. The organisation exists to satisfy the need for
protection and safety.
Within the organisation, work is regulated based on the sti-
pulations and guidelines of labour law. There is normally some
form of agreement between the employer and employees. Such
an agreement is usually based on loyalty, i.e. that the employee
conducts work for or on behalf of the employer and that this
work is usually reimbursed with wages or a corresponding form
of compensation. The incident commander’s authorities are pri-
marily directed towards thirdparties, while labour laws are di-
rected towards one’s own organisation. What is essential is that
work in conjunction with emergency response operations can be
conducted effectively and purposely with the focus on the need
for assistance.
Satisfying needs for assistance
An accident occurs and someone needs help. Based on this need,
emergency response operations are initiated with the municipal
structure for providing rescue services offering its resources to
remedy something that has gone wrong. The actual response ope-
ration is defined here from case to case, i.e. in principle to deter-
mine if the need of assistance fulfils the criteria for that which
is defined as rescue service and that which subsequently leads to
a municipal structure for providing rescue services offering its
services. Once the response operation and its scope is put in con-
crete form, one must, among other things, consider the object’s
size and type, the size of the affected area, available resources and
various organisational aspects. With the help of the emergency
response operation, one shall gain and maintain control by avai-
lable resources being utilised in the best possible manner. This